The 2025 AAR
How to review the year gone by and plan what's next in 30 minutes
An AAR or After-Action Review is a process for analysing projects or tasks to look for strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement.
I learned about it in my startup role at Vojomo. At the end of each quarter, we’d have a meeting to break everything down to its finest details:
What was supposed to happen?
What actually happened?
What went right?
What went wrong?
What do we do differently for the next quarter?
This is one of the best frameworks I’ve come across for structured reflection. Even though it’s origins are from the military, it can be applied in practically any area to learn from the past and plan for the future at the same time.
So this week I’ve been thinking, what if there was a way to restructure an AAR to close out the year? Rather than having another boring year-end review, what if there was a way to ask the questions that really matter and figure out the systems that work?
Below is the AAR I’ve built to close out 2025 and head into 2026. It has only the highest-impact questions in each category and can be completed in under 30 minutes.
Take what’s useful. Skip what isn’t.
Let’s jump in.
Part One: Looking Back
Before you start answering the questions, grab your calendar, journal, and/or camera roll.
Take some time to go through them. Don’t rush it. If there’s a moment that stands out, make a note of it. The idea is to have a quick snapshot of the year and resurface some the memories you may have forgotten.
Once you’re done, go through each section below, and fill in your responses in a few sentences.
Work
What action created the most value for you this year?
What cost you the most time, energy, and money?
What work built momentum and what felt like pushing a boulder uphill?
Health
What made you feel most alive?
How did you best spend your free time?
What drained you consistently?
Relationships
Who showed up when it mattered?
Which relationships deepened and why?
Which people brought out the best in you?
Creative Projects
What new skills, habits, or knowledge did you gain this year?
What were the best books and conversations that shifted how you think?
Where did you create the most value for others?
Big Picture
What’s one word or phrase that sums up 2025?
If you could relive one day from this year, which day would it be?
What’s one thing you’re leaving behind in 2025?
What’s one thing you want to carry forward into 2026?
The Moments
Once you’ve answered the questions, scroll through your camera roll from January to December.
Then pick 10 photos that capture your year best and print them if you can. Having memories in physical form is the perfect way to document the life you’re living.
The Pattern
Take a look at everything above and ask yourself:
What was 2025 actually about?
That’s your year in essence and is best answered in a single sentence. For me, it was: “The year I stopped waiting to feel ready.”
What’s yours?
Part Two: What’s Next?
By now, you probably have some ideas and systems to bring into 2026, which is great. However, the issue is not the ideas themselves, but actually sticking with it.
We forget about the resolutions we’d set a few weeks in and no matter what we try, the motivation is lost, and the changes are forgotten. A better approach is to pick systems that’s aligned with your 2025 review to make your goals for next year inevitable.
Here’s a few I’ve got in mind:
1. Gratitude Jar
Every Sunday, write down one moment you’re grateful for on a piece of paper from the past week and put it into a jar. That’s it. Open it up on New Years Eve next December. I’ve done this for the past two years and can’t recommend it enough.
2. Two-Second Videos
Record 2 seconds of your day, every day (yes just two seconds). Use 1 Second Everyday app and once again on New Years Eve, look back at your entire year in 12 minutes.
3. One-Line Journal
Write down one sentence per day in the Day One app or a physical journal. I’ve put together a 700+ day streak and trust me, this captures more than you think with minimal effort.
Keep in mind, these are capture systems I’m looking to personally build on. If these resonate with you, I’d recommend starting out with one and making it a part of your routine before you add another.
One Change Per Quarter
It’s impossible to overhaul your entire life on January 1st. It isn’t sustainable nor enjoyable.
Something that’s worked well for me in the past is to set out one small change per area of life and spread it across the year.
So for example, each quarter, you’d have a look back at work, health, relationships, and creative projects - just as you did with your AAR - and then pick just one adjustment you’ll make in the next quarter.
That could mean going for daily morning walks or reading eight books before the end of Q2. You can think of your AAR as a guided missile and these changes as self-correcting towards your final destination.
Three Questions for 2026
This past year has undoubtedly been one of my best ever years, from a personal and professional perspective. I’ve mapped out some lifestyle changes to bring into 26’ like fixing my sleep schedule (even on weekends) and daily check-ins with loved ones.
But rather than sharing that entire list, I want you to create your own, and a good way to start is by answering these questions:
1. What do you want to create that doesn’t exist yet?
2. What do you want to become capable of?
3. What do you want to remember the year by?
When you build your year around something meaningful and tangible, it’s guaranteed to be one you’ll never forget.
Close The Loop
It’s easy to get through half the review and eventually abandon it, but if you truly want to complete this:
Block 30 minutes before or on New Years Eve
Go somewhere different (not your desk)
Bring your calendar, phone, and computer
Work through the part one AAR completely (including printing photos)
Then once you’re done, go through part two before January 1st and:
Pick a system (capture or otherwise) aligned with your 2025 AAR
Choose your Q1 changes for the upcoming quarter
Answer the three core questions for 2026
That’s it.
This is everything you need to gain clarity on what’s happened and what’s ahead.
2025 is almost over, so capture it before it disappears.
All the best with the AAR and all the very best for 2026.
Talk soon,
Pranav
P.S. If you’d like to share your responses or run through some ideas for your AAR, just reply back to this email. I’ve love to help you set this up